East Tennessee State University (ETSU) does not unilaterally endorse TBR Policy No.
5:01:01:20, Telecommuting, for implementation at ETSU. As TBR policy states, telecommuting
is not a universal employee benefit or employee right. Policy permits each institution
the flexibility to identify those positions eligible for telecommuting, and establish
the parameters of telecommuting assignments.

Telecommuting is defined as a work agreement in which supervisors direct or permit
employees to perform their usual job duties away from their central (campus) workplace.
The agreement changes the core work area of the employee. Telecommuting is not to
be confused with the work performed by administrative employees from home that is
in addition to their 37.5 hour work week. As noted in TBR Policy No. 5:01:00:00, General
Personnel Policy, full-time administrative personnel shall be required to devote sufficient
time to complete their assigned duties and responsibilities.

Several issues have been identified that make a telecommuting policy difficult to
endorse, monitor and support at ETSU:

Workers’ compensation liability;

Health and safety issues of home offices;

Monitoring of time worked in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA);

Safeguarding of restricted-access information and materials.

Because of these important issues, the use of telecommuting by ETSU employees will
only be permitted in a case-by-case basis for extraordinary circumstances, and/or
under a university declared emergency. Vice-presidents will recommend any required
telecommuting assignments in their respective areas to the University President for
final approval. Following approval, a Telecommuting Work Agreement and a Safety Checklist
will be completed (available in the Office of Human Resources).

Departments who are currently permitting employees to telecommute are required to
stop those assignments and return the core work area of the employee to the campus.
Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 423-439-5825 for further clarification.
Thank you for your cooperation.